Program reveals secrets of tracks in snow

In summer, creatures in the wild are hidden by trees and dense brush. Winter provides an opportunity to explore the lives of these animals because of the tracks they leave in the snow.

KENT JOHNSON

In summer, creatures in the wild are hidden by trees and dense brush. Winter provides an opportunity to explore the lives of these animals because of the tracks they leave in the snow.

On Saturday, Monroe County Environmental Education Center will host a workshop in finding and reading the tracks that might crisscross the snow in your own backyard.

"There is always a new surprise," said Roger Spotts, environmental educator at the center. "I never thought I'd have anything good to say about Hurricane Sandy. This year, however, deer tracks can be seen all around the broken tops of trees that were blown down by Sandy. In other years, deer never would have been able to reach the tender shoots on the tops of these trees."

"There's a good variety of typical Pocono animals at the center," Spotts said. "We have deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, mice and voles. Occasionally, you will see the evidence of a coyote or fox passing through the preserve."

Patterns in the lives of each animal are revealed by the tracks they leave behind. At first glance, a hole in the snow with a few marks beside it may seem meaningless. Learning to understand the meaning of these marks opens a fascinating story about the creature's search for food.

"The flying squirrel has a really cool track," Spotts said. "The squirrel leaps from one tree, flying towards another. When it lands, it plops deeply into the snow and then hops towards the next tree, which it will climb looking for food."

Not all tracks are so benign. Some tracks tell a story of a predator chasing down its prey.

"You might see the prints of a mouse going into a clearing and just stopping," Spotts said. "Looking closer, you'll see the mark of wings on either side of the last track. Here an owl has swooped down for a meal."

"Following a trail may lead you to a fox's den," Spotts added. "Deer tracks may lead to a sheltered area where the animals bedded down for the night."

Of course, not all trails are so obvious. Although the bare trees allow for a better view, some of the activity may still be hidden.

Spotts said, "Mice and voles have trails between their nest and their food source that they use throughout the year. When snow falls, they simply tunnel under the snow to where they can get seeds. They built these tunnels continuously. The more snow that falls and the longer it stays on the ground, the more elaborate the system of tunnels grows. When it warms up and the roofs of the tunnels collapse, the full extent of this labyrinth is exposed."

"The program will start inside with illustrations of what we will be looking for when we go outside," said Spotts. "Even if there's no snow, there will be plenty of signs of wildlife. There might be a track in the mud or twigs the deer have fed upon."